Instant Blues Harmonica

I bought this book nearly 20 years ago now and it is still one of the best tutorial books I have ever read on any subject. Even now what I learned then is still with me. Having given up with many harmonica tutorial books that were just too theory based, this one really did the job. Whilst it doesn't ignore music theory entirely, it recognises that theory is only really useful when applied in practice. It encourages you to just screw up your courage and blow. And you soon realise it's not that difficult - it's not a three-keyboard church organ you're playing after all. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

I highly recommend David Harp's book. He makes it easy to go from a harmonica-owner (which is what I had been for years) to a harmonica player. I try to learn a new instrument every year on my birthday. Last year, I decided to finally get serious about the harmonica, and ordered David's book. His teaching style is simple, friendly, and to the point. It's encouraging to keep going when you feel like you're learning something new and constructive in each chapter. This books will teach you how to pick the correct key harmonica to play along with a group, or with a recording (if you want to play blues, you need to play the harmonica a fifth up from the backing band--so if the band is playing in C, you need to play the G harp...count up five letters from the band's key). And then it teaches you how to play the blues scale up and down the harp in that key (that is essentially all you need to be able to start improving and jamming in the blues style). Throw in a few extra techniques, such as note-bending, and slides, and you'll be sounding a grizzled bluesman in no time. It really is amazing how quickly you can get yourself up and running with this book. In January, I was hesitant to play my harmonica while I was alone in my car, and by March or April, I was blowing solos with musicians I admired...and getting compliments. Grab yourself a copy of David Harp's book today, and you'll be bending the blues in a just a couple months yourself.

David Harp offers the averge non-musician an easy-to-learn and fun-filled method for learning the blues harmonica. I was blowing the blues in almost no time! Get yosef' a harp and start playing the blues rat now!!

I have been humming/singing/whistling the blues for 25 years or more now, and have had a harmonica for most of that time. Until now, it was painful honking and squeaking when I play. Only a few months after using this book and cassette, I play in the local pub with a group of friends. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. If the blues is in your blood, but you can't quite get beyond that, this is the book for you. Just get it!....you'll see!